came to the Town; into which four troops of my own regiment first entered; and, being well seconded by Colonel Harrison’s regiment, charged the Enemy in the Town, and cleared the streets.
There came no band of your foot to fight that day but did it with incredible valour and resolution; among which Colonel Bright’s, my Lord General’s, Lieutenant-Colonel Reade’s and Colonel Ashton’s had the greatest work ; they often coming to push of pike and to close firing, and always making the Enemy to recoil. And indeed I must needs say, God was as much seen in the valour of the officers and soldiers of these beforementioned as in any action that hath been performed; the Enemy making, though he was still worsted, very stiff and sturdy resistance. Colonel Dean’s and Colonel Pride’s, outwinging the Enemy, could not come to so much share of the action; the Enemy shogging[1] down towards the Bridge; and keeping almost all in reserve, that so he might bring fresh hands often to fight. Which we not knowing, and lest we should be outwinged, “we” placed those two regiments to enlarge our right wing; this was the cause they had not at that time so great a share in that action.
At the last the Enemy was put into disorder; many men slain, many prisoners taken; the Duke, with most of the Scots horse and foot, retreated over the Bridge; where,—after a very hot dispute betwixt the Lancashire regiments, part of my Lord Generals, and them, being often at push of pike,—they were beaten from the Bridge; and our horse and foot, following them, killed many and took divers prisoners; and we possessed the Bridge over Darwen “also,” and a few houses there; the Enemy being driven up within musket-shot of us where we lay that night,[2]—we not being able to attempt farther upon the Enemy, the night preventing us. In this posture did the Enemy and we lie most part of that night. Upon entering the
